Front operated fireplace damper control

ABSTRACT

This invention is for a control for the damper of a fireplace. The control may be operated from the front of the fireplace. This invention is adaptable for use in older and installed fireplaces and is also adaptable for use in new fireplaces or fireplaces which are about to be installed.

United States Patent [1 1 Kent [ FRONT OPERATED FIREPLACE DAMPER CONTROL [76] Inventor: Walter B. Kent, 32619 39th PL,

S.W., Federal Way, Wash. 98002 [22] Filed: July 1, 1971 [21] Appl. No.2 158,888

[52] US. Cl. 126/288 [51] Int. Cl. F231 13/02 [58] Field of Search 126/288, 285 R, 285; 74/523, 524, 525

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I 1,994,365 3/1935 Mathews 126/285 R 752,738 2/ 1904 Wheeler.... 74/524 X 1,507,473 9/1924 Dray 126/120 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 128,100 6/1919 Great Britain 126/288 Nov. 20, 1973 11/1894 Great Britain 126/288 11/1948 Canada l. 126/288 Primary ExaminerWilliam F. ODea Assistant Examiner-Harold Joyce Att0rneyTh0mas W. Secrest [57] ABSTRACT This invention is for a control for the damper of a fireplace.

The control may be operated from the front of the fireplace. This invention is "adaptable for use in older and installed fireplaces and is also adaptable for use in new fireplaces or fireplaces which are about to be installed.

11 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PAIENIEU um 20 1915 saw 2 [IF 2 INVENTOR I FRONT OPERATED FIREPLACE DAMPER CONTROL Fireplaces are popular and people like to use fireplaces. In addition to giving off heat, a fireplace makes it more enjoyable to sit in a living room and carry on conversationwith people or just generally sit and stare at-the buminggfire in the fireplace.

Most fireplaces have a damper. When the fireplace is not in use and it is cold outside the building, the damper can be closed so that the cold air will not come downthe chimneyand into the building Then, when it is desired to have a firein the fireplace, the damper can be opened.) Likewise, by closing the damper, there is prevented heat loss up the chimney.

The dampers ,areususally .in: the intial, part of the chimney or exit of the fireplace and have-a depending lever for opening and closing. The lever is above the firebox of the fireplace and becomes covered with Scot and ashes. Also, the lever is ,usually hard to reach. A person desiring to open or close the damper must stoop down and reach through the front of the. fireplace and upwardly to. operate-thelever.:If' the person has on clean clothes-he hesitates to operate :the damper because of the possibility of soiling his clean clothes. Because of the. possibility of soiling his clothes, a person also tends to not use afireplace as frequently ashe would otherwise.

With this in .rnind,'I have invented a control for operating the damper ofa fireplace. 'This control makes it possible to operate-the damper ofthefireplacefrom the front of the: fireplace-and without the necessity of stooping over and reaching into the interior of the fireplace to move the lever for the damper. Also, when the control, is not in use, the operating handle can be hidden from view and generally,notseenby the; people enjoying the; fire in; the: fireplace.

Accordingly, ityis an object of this invention to. provide a control for a fireplace damper which can be easily operated from the front of the fireplace; another object is to provide such a control=for fireplaces which have already been installed in a: building as well as for new'fireplaces. to beinstalled in abuilding;.an additional object is to provide such a control-which can be readily; installed in, a fireplace; another object is to provide such ,acontrol whichhasfew moving parts and substantially no maintenance; a further object is to provide such a control having. a handle which can'be, substantially; hidden from ,view when not in use; and, a further important object is to, providesuch a control which is inexpensiveto manufacture.

These and other important objects and advantages of the invention will be moreparticularly brought forth upon referenceto the accompanying drawing, the detailed description of the invention, and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. l,v in solid lines,is a perspective view illustrating a specificembodiment. of the invention constructed in accordance with the'preferred teachings-thereof, and illustrates, by phantomlines, a fragmentary portion of the front ofthe fireplace and also-the lever for the damper;

.FIG. 2 is a side-elevationalview of a side connector arm assembly'for said damper control and illustrates, by, phantom line, the various angles at which part of the main arm may be bentto assume a different configuration; FIG. 3 is a plan view of the connector arm assembly and, illustrates in phantom, the angle at which the handle assembly can be rotated with respect to the main arm;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a guide for the damper control;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of said guide;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of said guide;

' FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a clamp for use with said guide;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of said clamp;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view illustrating said guide, said clamp, and a set screw for use with said guide and said clamp; and,

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the assembled 1 guide, clamp, and set screw positioned on a lintel of the fireplace and with the set screw bearing against the bot tom of the lintel and the clamp over the top of the lintel.

A fireplace 20 comprises decorative or front bricks 22, and a lintel 24. The lintel 24 is positioned underneath the bricks 22. The lintel 24 is, essentially, an angle iron comprising a long leg 26 and a short leg 28.

"-The short leg 28 is in back of the bricks 22 and is hidden from view. Also, underneath the bricks 22 there an upper section 48 and below the ledge 46 there is a lower section 50.

In the upper section 48 there are a number of spaced apart adjustment slots 52.

Inthe lower section 50 there are, at least, two guide slots 54. Also, in the lower section 50 and between the two guide slots 54 there is a groove 56.

In the ledge 46 there is a grilled tapped passageway There is a clamp 60, see FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10.

The clamp 60 is essentially, originally, a flat piece of metal which has been bent to a configuration having a main body 62. The clamp on one end of the main body -62 bends back into itself into a ledge or hook 64, which slot 52. For example, see FIG. 10, the ofiset leg 66 is positioned in an adjustment slot 52 and the book 64 is hooked over the upper edge of the leg 28. A set screw 70 is screwed into the grilled passageway 58 so that the point 72 bears against the outer surface of the lower leg 26 of the lintel 24. By tightening the set screw 70, the

hook 64 is forced firmly and snugly against the upper edge of the leg 28. This will definitely and firmly position the guide 42 with respect to the lintel of the fireplace.

The connector arm assembly comprises a main arm 80. The main arm has a first section 82 and a second section 84. The plane of the first section 82 and the plane of the second section 84 are substantially at right angles to each other. In the second section 84 there are a plurality of spaced apart holes 86. In the second section 84 and connecting with the holes 86 are a number of grooves 88. These grooves are break-off grooves so that the main arm 80 may be shortened to the desired length. I

On the outer end of the first section 82 there is attached a tongue 90. The tongue 90 may be attached to the first section 82 by spot welding. In the tongue 90 there is a passageway 92.

There is a handle assembly 94. The handle assembly 94 comprises a shank having a straight flat section 96. Also, the shank comprises another member 98 having a straight shank section 100 and a member 102 which bends away from the straight section 100. The sections 96 and 100 may be made integral by spot welding them together. The section 102 is spaced apart from the section 96. In the section 102 there is a passageway 104. Also, in the section 96 there is a passageway 106. The passageways 104 and 106 are aligned.

The sections 102 and 96 may be positioned on each side of the tongue 90 with the passageways 92, 104, and 106 aligned. Then a pin or rivet 108 may be used to join together the tongue and the sections 96 and 102. The body of the riveter pin 108 is of a less external diameter than the diameter of the passageway 92 so that the handle assembly 94 is free to rotate with respect to the tongue 90.

On the end of the sections 96 and 100 there is a handle 110. The handle 110 may be united with the sections 96 and 100 by means of spot welding or welding. The handle 110 comprises a base and two inwardly directed legs so as in a plan view to give the configuration of U.

In use, after the guide 42 has been positioned on the lintel 24 of the fireplace, the connector arm assembly may be positioned in a guide slot 54. Then, the connector arm assembly may be connected at a suitable passageway 86, by means of a bolt 120, a spacer 122, a washer 124, a disc 126, a lock washer 128, and a nut 130. The bolt passes through the passageway 132 in the lower end of the lever 32. Then, the members 122, 124, 126, 128, and 130 are positioned with respect to the bolt, the second section 84, and the lever 32. In this manner the connector arm assembly is connected to the lever 32 for opening and closing the damper.

After the guide 42 has been attached to the lintel 24 of the fireplace and, if the connector arm assembly can be placed in the upper guide slot 54, then it is possible to break off the lower part of the guide 42 at the groove 56. Further, after the connector arm assembly 44 has been attached to the lever 32, it is possible to break off the excess of the connector arm assembly or the excess of the second section 84. In certain instances, if the fireplace is of shallow depth, it will be necessary to break off the excess of the second section 84.

In operation, if a person wishes to move the damper of the fireplace, a person can rotate the handle assembly so as to assume the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1. In this instance the longitudinal axis of the handle assembly is in line with the longitudinal axis of the connector arm assembly. The person can move the handle assembly and the connector arm assembly to adjust the damper for an open position or a closed by complete lines in FIG. 1. As is seen in FIG. 1, the

handle assembly will be underneath the lintel and, generally, out of view of the person enjoying the fire in the fireplace or looking at the fireplace.

The length of the lever 32 for the damper will vary from fireplace to fireplace. Therefore, the connector arm assembly can be bent or deformed, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to accommodate itself to the lever 32.

From the foregoing, it is seen that this invention is adaptable for lintels having legs 28 of different lengths, because of the guide 42 and the slots 52 in the guide 42. Also, the damper control 40 is adaptable for screens having an upper angle 30 of various lengths, see the slots 54 in the guide 42. Further, the length of the connector arm assembly is variable for fireplaces having different depths and position of the levers 32 in these fireplaces, see the break-off grooves 88. Also, because of different lengths of the levers 32, the connector arm assembly 44 can be adapted by bending the connector arm assembly as illustrated in FIG. 2.

I claim:

1. A front operated control for a fireplace damper, said control comprising:

a. a connector arm assembly;

b. a guide for said assembly;

0. said guide having a guide slot for said assembly;

d. a first means for positioning said guide in a fireplace;

e. said guide comprising an adjustment slot;

f. said first means comprising a clamp having a hook for connecting to the fireplace and a leg for fitting with said adjustment slot; and,

g. a fourth means for adjusting the position of the guide and the clamp with respect to the fireplace.

2. A front operated control for a fireplace damper, said control comprising:

a. a connector arm assembly;

b. a guide for said assembly;

c. said guide having a guide slot for said assembly;

d. a first means for positioning said guide in a fireplace;

e. said assembly comprising a main arm;

f. said main arm having a second means to adjust said main arm to a desired length;

g. a movable handle assembly;

h. a third means connecting said main arm and said movable handle assembly;

i. said guide comprising an adjustment slot;

. j. said first means comprising a clamp having a hook for connecting to the fireplace and a leg for fitting with said guide slot; and,

k. a fourth means for adjusting the position of the guide and the clamp with respect to the fireplace.

3. A front operated control for a fireplace damper according to claim 2 and comprising:

a. said second means comprising a groove for weakening said main arm to allow separation of said main arm;

b. said third means comprising a pin;

c. said guide having a ledge between said guide slot and said adjustment slot;

(1. a tapped passageway in said ledge; and,

e. said fourth means comprising a bolt in said tapped passageway for bearing against said clamp.

.4. A front operated control for a fireplace damper according to claim 3 and comprising:

a. said main arm bending into a first section and a second section; and,

b. said first section and said second section being at an angle with respect to each other.

5. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said, damper, said combination comprising:

a. said fireplace having a lintel;

b. said damper having a lever;

c. a connector arm assembly;

d. a guide for said assembly;

e. said guide having a guide slot for said assembly;

f. first means for positioning said guide with respect to said lintel; and,

g. a fifth means for connecting said connector arm assembly to said lever.

6. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 5, and comprising:

a. said assembly comprising a main arm;

b. said main arm having a second means to adjust said main arm to a desired length;

c. a movable handle assembly; and,

d. a third means connecting said main arm and said movable handle assembly.

7. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 5 and comprising:

a. said guide comprising an adjustment slot;

b. said first means comprising a clamp having a hook for connecting to said lintel and a leg for fitting with said guide slot; and,

c. a fourth means for adjusting the position of the guide and the clamp with respect to said lintel.

8. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 5 and comprising:

a. said assembly comprising a main arm;

b. said main arm having a second means to adjust said main arm to a desired length;

c. a movable handle assembly;

d. a third means connecting said main arm and said movable handle assembly;

e. said guide comprising an adjustment slot;

f. said first means comprising a clamp having a hook for connecting to said lintel and a leg for fitting with said guide slot; and

g. a fourth means for adjusting the position of the guide and the clamp with respect to said lintel.

9. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 8, and comprising:

a. said second means comprising a groove for weak ening said main arm to allow separation of said main arm;

b. said third means comprising a pin;

c. said guide having a ledge between said guide slot and said adjustment slot;

d. a tapped passageway in said ledge; and,

e. said fourth means comprising a bolt in said tapped passageway for bearing against said clamp.

10. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 9 andcomprising:

a. said main arm bending into a first section and a second section; and,

b. said first section and said second section being at an angle with respect to each other.

11. A method for controlling the damper of a fireplace, said method comprising:

a. positioning a guide in said fireplace;

b. positioning a connector arm assembly in said guide;

0. connecting said connector arm assembly with a lever for the damper;

d. positioning said guide on the lintel of the fireplace;

e. adjusting the length of said connector arm assembly; and,

f. said adjustment being made by breaking off the unneeded portion of said connector arm assembly. 

1. A frOnt operated control for a fireplace damper, said control comprising: a. a connector arm assembly; b. a guide for said assembly; c. said guide having a guide slot for said assembly; d. a first means for positioning said guide in a fireplace; e. said guide comprising an adjustment slot; f. said first means comprising a clamp having a hook for connecting to the fireplace and a leg for fitting with said adjustment slot; and, g. a fourth means for adjusting the position of the guide and the clamp with respect to the fireplace.
 2. A front operated control for a fireplace damper, said control comprising: a. a connector arm assembly; b. a guide for said assembly; c. said guide having a guide slot for said assembly; d. a first means for positioning said guide in a fireplace; e. said assembly comprising a main arm; f. said main arm having a second means to adjust said main arm to a desired length; g. a movable handle assembly; h. a third means connecting said main arm and said movable handle assembly; i. said guide comprising an adjustment slot; j. said first means comprising a clamp having a hook for connecting to the fireplace and a leg for fitting with said guide slot; and, k. a fourth means for adjusting the position of the guide and the clamp with respect to the fireplace.
 3. A front operated control for a fireplace damper according to claim 2 and comprising: a. said second means comprising a groove for weakening said main arm to allow separation of said main arm; b. said third means comprising a pin; c. said guide having a ledge between said guide slot and said adjustment slot; d. a tapped passageway in said ledge; and, e. said fourth means comprising a bolt in said tapped passageway for bearing against said clamp.
 4. A front operated control for a fireplace damper according to claim 3 and comprising: a. said main arm bending into a first section and a second section; and, b. said first section and said second section being at an angle with respect to each other.
 5. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said, damper, said combination comprising: a. said fireplace having a lintel; b. said damper having a lever; c. a connector arm assembly; d. a guide for said assembly; e. said guide having a guide slot for said assembly; f. first means for positioning said guide with respect to said lintel; and, g. a fifth means for connecting said connector arm assembly to said lever.
 6. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 5, and comprising: a. said assembly comprising a main arm; b. said main arm having a second means to adjust said main arm to a desired length; c. a movable handle assembly; and, d. a third means connecting said main arm and said movable handle assembly.
 7. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 5 and comprising: a. said guide comprising an adjustment slot; b. said first means comprising a clamp having a hook for connecting to said lintel and a leg for fitting with said guide slot; and, c. a fourth means for adjusting the position of the guide and the clamp with respect to said lintel.
 8. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 5 and comprising: a. said assembly comprising a main arm; b. said main arm having a second means to adjust said main arm to a desired length; c. a movable handle assembly; d. a third means connecting said main arm and said movable handle assembly; e. said guide comprising an adjustment slot; f. said first means comprising a clamp having a hook for connecting to said lintel and a leg for fitting with said guide slot; and g. a fourth means for adjuSting the position of the guide and the clamp with respect to said lintel.
 9. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 8, and comprising: a. said second means comprising a groove for weakening said main arm to allow separation of said main arm; b. said third means comprising a pin; c. said guide having a ledge between said guide slot and said adjustment slot; d. a tapped passageway in said ledge; and, e. said fourth means comprising a bolt in said tapped passageway for bearing against said clamp.
 10. A combination of a fireplace having a damper and a front operated control for said damper according to claim 9 and comprising: a. said main arm bending into a first section and a second section; and, b. said first section and said second section being at an angle with respect to each other.
 11. A method for controlling the damper of a fireplace, said method comprising: a. positioning a guide in said fireplace; b. positioning a connector arm assembly in said guide; c. connecting said connector arm assembly with a lever for the damper; d. positioning said guide on the lintel of the fireplace; e. adjusting the length of said connector arm assembly; and, f. said adjustment being made by breaking off the unneeded portion of said connector arm assembly. 